Nominations & Designations, December 1, 1981

Nomination of Gerald E. Thomas To Be United States Ambassador to Guyana

December 1, 1981

The President announced today his intention to nominate Gerald E. Thomas, of California, to be Ambassador to the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. He would succeed George B. Roberts, Jr.

In 1951 Mr. Thomas began his career with the United States Navy, serving on the U.S.S. Newman K. Perry (1951 - 54) and U.S.S. Worcester (1954 - 56). He attended naval school in 1956 - 57 and was assigned to the National Security Agency in 1957 - 60. He was executive officer on the U.S.S. Lowe (1960 - 62) and assistant head of the college training programs section in the Bureau of Naval Personnel in 1963 - 65 and attended the Naval War College in 1965 - 66. In 1966 - 67 he was commanding officer on the U.S.S. Bausell. He was executive officer of the NROTC Unit of Prairie View A & M College at Prairie View, Tex., in 1967 - 69 and professor of naval science in 1969 - 70. He attended the NROTC Unit at Yale University in 1970 - 73. He was Commander of Destroyer Squadron NINE (1973 - 74) and of Cruiser Destroyer Group FIVE (1974 - 76). In 1976 - 78 he was Director of the Near East and South Asia Region of the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense and was Commander of Training Command of the Pacific Fleet in 1978 - 81. He retired as rear admiral in 1981.

Mr. Thomas is married, has three children, and resides in San Diego, Calif. He graduated from Harvard University (B.S. 1951), George Washington University (M.S., 1966), and Yale University (Ph. D., 1973). He was born June 23, 1929, in Natick, Mass.

Nomination of Mark Evans Austad To Be United States Ambassador to Norway

December 1, 1981

The President today announced his intention to nominate Mark Evans Austad, of Arizona, to be Ambassador to Norway. He would succeed Sidney Anders Rand.

Mr. Austad was a missionary of the Church of Latter-Day Saints in Norway in 1936 - 39 and served in the United States Army in 1941 - 45. He was an announcer with KSL Radio in Salt Lake City, Utah (1941 - 43); commentator, newsman, and broadcaster with WWDC in Washington, D.C. (1945 - 50); and commentator - morning man with WTOP - CBS in Washington, D.C. (1950 - 60). In 1960 - 75 and since 1977, he has been vice president for public affairs with Metromedia, Inc. He hosted his own television program ``The Mark Evans Show,'' and was anchorman of an award-winning documentary on pollution called ``1985.''

In 1973 Mr. Austad was United States Alternate Representative to the 28th Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations. In 1975 - 77 he was Ambassador to Finland.

He graduated from Weber State College. Mr. Austad is married, has three children, and resides in Scottsdale, Ariz. He was born April 1, 1917, in Ogden, Utah.

Designation of Fred M. Zeder II To Serve as Personal Representative of the President During Negotiations on the Status of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands

December 1, 1981

The President today designated Fred M. Zeder II to serve as Personal Representative of the President to conduct negotiations on the future political status of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. In addition, the President also announced his intention to nominate Mr. Zeder for the rank of Ambassador while serving in that capacity. He would succeed Peter R. Rosenblatt.

Since 1978 Mr. Zeder has been president, Paradise Cruise, Ltd., and Paradise Holdings Corp. in Honolulu, Hawaii. He was president and chairman, Hydrometals, Inc., in New York, N.Y., and Dallas, Tex., in 1959 - 75. In 1975 - 77 Mr. Zeder was Director, Office of Territorial Affairs, Department of the Interior.

Mr. Zeder attended Detroit University, the University of Michigan, the University of California at Los Angeles, and Northwood Institute. He is married, has five children, and resides in Honolulu, Hawaii. He was born March 14, 1921.

Nomination of Eugene V. Lipp To Be a Member of the National Transportation Safety Board

December 1, 1981

The President today announced his intention to nominate Eugene V. Lipp to be a member of the National Transportation Safety Board, for a term expiring December 31, 1986. He would succeed James B. King.

Mr. Lipp is a self-employed contractor and political consultant in Pasadena, Calif. He served as a member of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Appeals Board, State of California, in 1971 - 78 and was assistant state finance director, Committee to Re-elect Governor Reagan, in 1970. Previously he was an independent contractor in 1968 - 69; coordinator/administrative assistant, Department of Housing & Community Development, State of California, in 1967 - 68; public relations and business development officer, Community Bank, Los Angeles, Calif., in 1955 - 67. He was in advance sales and marketing, Rheingold Brewing Co., Los Angeles, in 1953 - 55, and a research assistant, Secret Weapons Development, Cal Ord Research Corp., Pasadena, in 1952 - 53.

Mr. Lipp is married and resides in Pasadena, Calif. He was born July 19, 1919, in Avon, Pa.